1,106 research outputs found
CT virtual endoscopy of the upper airway
No full textPurpose: The technical conditions,the optimized scanning protocols and the facilities of virtual endoscopy (VE) are presented in an overview. Methods: Phantom studies showed thar,for a single-row-detector helical CT, collimation of 3.0 mm combined with pitch of 1.5 provided an optimal compromise between image quality and the scan duration per breath-hold. A multi-row-detector helical CT requires only a fraction of the scanning time. This is especially important for patients with dyspnea. Results: The threshold-dependent virtual endoscopic surface rendering is a reliable and rapidly practicable reconstruction algorithm for the imaging of the upper airway. Conclusions: The VE technique is suitable for the imaging of space-occupying tumors and restricted stenoses. With VE follow-up examinations can be performed non-invasively and interventional procedures can be prepared in an optimal way. Because of the computed tomographic data acquisition the structure of the mucosa is not assessable and there is no opportunity to obtain a biopsy specimen
Pharmacological studies on the role of reactive oxygen species in IgE-dependent histamine secretion from human basophils
No full textOxygen control of nif gene expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae depends on NifL reduction at the cytoplasmic membrane by electrons derived from the reduced quinone pool
No full textIn Klebsiella pneumoniae , the flavoprotein, NifL regulates NifA mediated transcriptional activation of the N-2-fixation (nif) genes in response to molecular O-2 and ammonium. We investigated the influence of membrane-bound oxidoreductases on nif -regulation by biochemical analysis of purified NifL and by monitoring NifA-mediated expression of nifH'-'lacZ reporter fusions in different mutant backgrounds. NifL-bound FAD-cofactor was reduced by NADH only in the presence of a redox-mediator or inside-out vesicles derived from anaerobically grown K. pneumoniae cells, indicating that in vivo NifL is reduced by electrons derived from membrane-bound oxidoreductases of the anaerobic respiratory chain. This mechanism is further supported by three lines of evidence: First, K. pneumoniae strains carrying null mutations of fdnG or nuoCD showed significantly reduced nif- induction under derepressing conditions, indicating that NifL inhibition of NifA was not relieved in the absence of formate dehydrogenase-N or NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase. The same effect was observed in a heterologous Escherichia coli system carrying a ndh null allele (coding for NADH dehydrogenaseII). Second, studying nif -induction in K. pneumoniae revealed that during anaerobic growth in glycerol, under nitrogen-limitation, the presence of the terminal electron acceptor nitrate resulted in a significant decrease of nif-induction. The final line of evidence is that reduced quinone derivatives, dimethylnaphthoquinol and menadiol, are able to transfer electrons to the FAD-moiety of purified NifL. On the basis of these data, we postulate that under anaerobic and nitrogen-limited conditions, NifL inhibition of NifA activity is relieved by reduction of the FAD-cofactor by electrons derived from the reduced quinone pool, generated by anaerobic respiration, that favours membrane association of NifL. We further hypothesize that the quinol/quinone ratio is important for providing the signal to NifL
Dissertatio de licentia poetica, qvam suffragante ampliss: collegio phil. in regiâ ad Auram Academiâ, sub moderatione, admodum reverendi [et] praeclarissimi Torst. Rudeen, poëseos profess. ord. celeberrimi, disquisitioni publicae eâ quâ par est modestiâ submittit Jacobus J. Haartman Aust. Finl. In Athaeneo superiori ad d. 25 Maji, anni khristogonías [M. D]CC.I.
No full textInvokaatio: I.N.S.S.T.Dedikaatio: Johannes Gezelius, Johan Wallensteen, Johannes Bechman, Ericus Steenbergius, Gregorius Gottleben, Nicolaus Laurentii Qwist, Ernestus Grabbe, Adrianus Gottleben, Andreas Urenius.Gratulaatio: Johannes Flachsenius, Torst. Rudeen, Gabriel Haartman, Complausi Breviter Gutture Non Facili (krypton.) = Consangvineus Benedictus Granroth Nicolai Filius?, Johannes Haartman.Arkit: 4 arkintunnuksetonta lehteä, A-E4.Painovuosi nimekkeestä.NNimekkeessä on kreikkaa
Arminius or the Rise of a National Symbol in Literature: From Hutten to Grabbe
No full textThis volume provides an evaluation of the ideological significance of the Arminius trope in patriotic German literature. Beginning with the German Humanists and ranging through the works of Hutten, Lohenstein, J. E. Schlegel, Klopstock, Kleist, Grabbe and others. Kuehnemund tracks how Arminius has been deployed as a symbol of the German nation by major intellectual movements and at key points in German history leading up to the Second World War
Value of F-18FDG hybrid camera PET and MRI in early takayasu aortitis
No full textTakayasu aortitis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic vasculitis of large- and medium-sized arteries. Early stages of the disease show a panarteritis and inflammatory wall thickening of the aorta and its branches, whereas advanced (fibrotic) stages comprise stenosis, aneurismatic transformation and occlusion. Magnetic resonance imaging visualises early-stage disease with high accuracy and is considered to be the method of choice in the diagnosis of TA. The aim of this article is the detailed comparison of FDG-PET performed with a hybrid camera and MR imaging in five patients with early TA. Five patients (median age 60 years) were enrolled during an ongoing prospective study on [18F]2'-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) hybrid camera PET in patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). These patients underwent MR imaging after establishing the diagnosis of TA. Abnormal FDG uptake in the wall of the aorta was noted in all patients. The bracheocephalic artery and the common carotid arteries were visualized in 3 cases. Increased uptake of the subclavian artery was found in 3 patients and in 4 patients pathological uptake was noted in the ilio-femoral vessels. Of 34 vascular regions studied, 26 (76%) showed elevated FDG uptake. On transversal MR images vessel wall thickening and contrast enhancement of the thoracic aorta was found in 4 patients (ascending aorta/ aortic arch: n=2; descending aorta: n=3; abdominal aorta: n=1). Additionally, vessel wall pathologies of the subclavian and the common carotid arteries could be shown in 1 patient and in another patient in the ilio-femoral arteries. No abnormalities were found using contrast-enhanced MR angiography. Of 28 vascular regions studied, 9 (32%) showed vasculitis on MRI. The FDG-PET is a suitable whole-body screening method in the primary diagnosis of early TA, especially in those cases with early disease that present with uncharacteristic symptoms such as FUO. Both MRI and MRA remain indispensable in the exact determination of the pathomorphological changes and in the documentation of complications such as stenosis, aneurismatic transformation and occlusion
Flat-panel detector-based computed tomography: Accuracy of experimental growth rate assessment in pulmonary nodules
No full textPurpose: To determine the performance of an a-Si/CsJ flat-panel detector-based volumetric computed tomography (VCT) prototype in volumetry of synthetic nodules in a pulmonary phantom, and to assess VCT accuracy in the assessment of hypothetic tumor growth rates based on predefined tumor doubling times. Methods: The true volumes of 50 synthetic nodules (diameter range = 1.36 - 5.34 mm) were determined and VCT volumetry was performed before and after isovolumetric deformation of the nodules. The percent measurement error (PMF) was calculated as the percent difference of the measured from the true volume. Based on the PMF, the minimum interval between two scans was determined that would be needed to depict tumor growth corresponding to the minimum number of required follow-up days (FUDs). Based on predefined tumor doubling times (VDT) FUDs were determined before and after nodule deformation. Results: Measured Volumes of undeformed and deformed nodules of 0.99 - 20.05 mm(3) differed significantly from corresponding true volumes (p=0.002 - 0.004). The PMFs of these nodules significantly exceeded the values measured in larger nodules (p=0.0001 - 0.0029). In addition, PMFs were significantly lower before than after deformation (1.33 - 7.14% and 0.61 - 11.09%, respectively; p=0.002). For theoretical VDTs of 177 and 396 days, the calculated FUDs for detection of tumor growth Were 19.1 and 42.7 days before deformation, and 30.2 and 67.6 days after deformation for nodules < 2 mm, respectively
Change or Continuity: Is the Eastern Partnership an Adequate Tool for the European Neighbourhood?
No full textThis article examines the discourse of the EU’s relations with eastern Europe under the recently launched Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative. First, it evaluates the EaP’s conceptual framework to suggest that there seems to be more continuity than change in the EU’s modus operandi with its neighbours. More crucially, the notion of ‘partnership’, central to the new philosophy of cooperation with the outsiders, continues to be ill defined, causing a number of problems for the effective and legitimate realisation of the European Neighbourhood Policy/Eastern Partnership in the region. Second, drawing on the empirical investigations of the official discourses in Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova, the article reveals an increasing gap between EU rhetoric and east European expectations. In the absence of adequate partnership response to the needs and interests of ‘the other’, the policy is unlikely to find anticipated legitimation in the neighbourhood
Mercuric Chloride Enhances IgE-Dependent Mediator Release from Human Basophils.
No full textMercuric chloride (HgCl2) is an industrial agent known to cause autoimmune disorders and induce IgE synthesis, which plays a crucial role in the manifestation of allergic diseases. In rodents, the immunomodulatory effects of HgCl2 have been shown to involve the enhancement of mast cell-derived IL-4 secretion, which facilitates both Th2-lymphocyte development and IgE production. In humans, rapid allergen-dependent release of IL-4 and the related cytokine IL-13 from histamine-containing cells occurs primarily in basophils, along with other proinflammatory mediators such as histamine and LTC4. In this study, we therefore investigated the effects of HgCl2 on the release of the above basophil mediators, either due to the compound alone or in conjunction with IgE-dependent stimulation. HgCl2 (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) did not induce mediator secretion alone but significantly enhanced the release of histamine, LTC4, IL-4, and IL-13 caused by anti-IgE. Higher concentrations of HgCl2 (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) strikingly reduced cell viability; however, toxicity varied depending on cell density and incubation time. Removal of HgCl2 following a short incubation with basophils did not reverse the potentiating effects on basophil mediator secretion to anti-IgE and the concentration of free mercury in the supernatants significantly diminished by up to 20% after incubation with the cells, indicating irreversible Hg binding to cells. By upregulating IgE-dependent human basophil mediator release, our results clearly indicate that HgCl2 potentially exacerbates allergic disorders and promotes a Th2-cytokine profile
“Faithfully loyal to Your Imperial Highness...” Letters of bishop Grigoriy (Grabbe) to grand prince Vladimir Kirillovich (1971–1991)
No full textThis article makes public letters of Bishop Grigoriy (Grabbe; prior to 1979, protopresbyter Georgiy). The author of these letters was for several decades secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and Ruler of the affairs of the Synodal offi ce of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. In the 1960s — early 1980s, he had a great power that sometimes exceeded the power of the Chairman of the Synod of bishops, Metropolitan Filaret (Voznesensky). The recipient of the letters is Grand Prince Kirill Vladimirovich Romanov. Although in 1939, the Russian Church Abroad actually recognised this person as the spiritual leader of the future free Russia, in the post-war years the attitude to him deteriorated. The correspondence was conducted against the background of protests by representatives of the house of the Romanovs, who did not agree with Vladimir Kirillovich’s claims to the throne. The author of the letters, being a supporter of Vladimir Kirillovich, tried to support him. The correspondence is also interesting because it refl ects important events in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in those years. This is the preparation of the canonisation of new martyrs and confessors of Russia, the scandalous marriage that Revd. Grabbe performed on M. Golenevsky, calling him Tsarevich Alexei, and internal confl icts within the Russian Church Abroad. The correspondence refl ected Bishop Grigoriy’s attitude to the changes in the home country in the late 1980s and early 1990s, to Vladimir Kirillovich’s trip to the Soviet Union and his meeting with Patriarch Alexy II
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